Aided Path Chiesa

Introduction:

The Aided path Chiesa is a pleasant trip that extends along the narrow Val Scura near Levico Terme, in the province of Trento. The path is of moderate difficulty and presents unstable ground that requires a minimum of experience of aided trips. The itinerary is perfect for mid-seasons when the Rio Bianco will have a good flow and can enjoy the various waterfalls along the way. A beautiful ring itinerary is proposed here with return from the Path of the Menador.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is in the municipality of Levico in the province of Trento. From Levico Terme we proceed south towards Lochere until we reach the Hotel Paoli. We park near the hotel (ample parking on the left). This starting point of the itinerary is perfect for a loop tour returning from the Path of the Menador. Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

We go up the paved road to the first bend where the road continues to the right uphill. At that point we will notice a sign and a red slab which continues into the woods. We follow the uphill route up easy path keeping the orographic left, continuing south with Monte Pegolara to the right, Monte Calmo on the left. The path as it proceeds uphill leads us to face different ones fords of the Rio Bianco stream - you are in everything before the start of the via ferrata. Entering the valley, the environment becomes more and more beautiful with pronounced rocky spiers that rise to both sides of the path. We continue and soon we meet the first aided section (850 m - 1h from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

We go up a first stretch of wire rope to go up a saddle beyond which, after traveling an easy but slippery detritus ledge we go down a metal ladder and we slightly lose altitude towards the stream and a rocky spire that seems to block the valley. We cross the stream again and face the second metal ladder of the itinerary that helps us uphill go up a boulder and a little later we go back up one third metal staircase. We continue along a ledge on the edge of the stream where we must pay attention to the tendency of the cable to push us out and the slippery bottom due to humidity. We continue uphill going up a new staircase and we continue on a comfortable path with a wonderful view of the mountains, waterfalls and surrounding streams. After this easy stretch, we have to go up a stretch with a more pronounced slope and a generally unstable ground until reaching a panoramic point on the Valsugana.

Thus we begin the second part of the itinerary which presents us with a exposed but not difficult first stretch sideways with brackets in support. After this stretch we find ourselves walking along a comfortable ledge and a ledge new metal ladder. We continue along the path in an unaided stretch until we descend into a furrow with a debris bottom and then climb up - probably - to the most difficult part of the route. We go up a sloping wall composed of natural steps in which we need to pay attention. We come to two metal ladders to climb up then continue the path until you drop one fairly challenging detrital. We continue now uphill in a stretch with a not very stable but not difficult bottom, we pass the slab with dedication to Clement Church for the via ferrata and we complete the ascent of the detrital section. We pass close to a beautiful waterfall and soon reach a new rocky ledge that we take to the right. We complete the ledge, climb a ladder resting on a boulder and climb over the stream near some rocky boulders. We complete the last aided stretch with a final ladder and we reach the end of the aided road and near a slabau (1247 m - 1h 45 'from the start - 2h 45' total).

Descent:

After the ferrata we continue along the path in the woods that starts from this point and continues southwards towards Seghetta. At the first junction we will keep the left towards the Baita Cangi sul signpost 201. Although it is not the quickest way back we propose the return for the Path of the Menador in the Val Pisciavacca. Keep the left at the second saddle again and walk along the pleasant path that between ups and downs, traits a little slippery on debris, bridges and fords will take us back to the car. At the end of the Sentiero del Menador (2h 30 'from the end of the via ferrata), we will have to keep to the left and walk along via delle Valli until we return to the provincial road traveled by car. At that point we keep the left again and we will soon reach the car in the parking lot in front of the hotel (total 5h 30 ').

Notes:

In 2017 the via ferrata was closed due to maintenance and news about the official reopening is awaited. The via ferrata which - due to technical difficulties would be easy to classify - now has two sections with equipment missing or in maintenance and therefore definitely raises the degree of difficulty. To proceed safely now requires a firm foot and a rope to secure the companion as he ascends. The ferrata takes place in a truly suggestive environment and, due to the low altitude, it is absolutely worth visiting. It lends itself very well to being traveled even in mid-seasons.

The main difficulty along the way is the gravel bottom which is not always stable and quite brittle. for this a pair of hiking sticks can be useful to increase the stability of the feet.

Opportunities:

The Aided path Chiesa is a beautiful itinerary that, including the return to the ring, is quite long and probably due to the continuous ups and downs could leave us with little energy for a second itinerary. The area is however very interesting as aided sections. In the first vicinity in the direction of Trento, one could go along the Aided path Bertotti, not difficult and potentially short - if not covered with a ring return. Proceeding in the direction of the Lagorai chain, the beauty could be followed Ferrata Gabrielli at the Cima d'Asta. Descending along the Adige Valley, the first meet Ferrata Segata al Bondone or the Ferrata Marangoni in Mori.